Florida native Javier Maldonado became the first head coach of the Southeastern wrestling program on February 12, 2015. 

The Southeastern program was the Sunshine State's first scholarship wrestling program in nearly 30 years. 

Maldonado guided the first-year program to a 12-8 dual meet record. The Fire were the team champions at the Cougar Duals, going 5-0 on the weekend. 

During the first season, a pair of freshman wrestlers qualified for the NAIA National Championships. Olson Delisca (125) and Ethan Owen (133) each earned bids to Topeka where they went 1-2 each. 

In 2016, the Fire sent three wresters to Topeka for NAIA Nationals with Delisca, Tim Dinsdale, and Giovanny Bonilla all winning at least one match at nationals, and Delisca coming just one win from All-American status.

During each of the first two seasons, the Fire have been home to the Mid-South Conference Champion of Character Award recipient for wrestling with T.J. Hasz winning in 2016, and Aris Knight winning in 2017.

Prior to SEU, Maldonado spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida. During his time with the Kowboys, Maldonado coached seven individual State Champions, 22 state place winners, and nine All-Americans. As a team, they finished in the top five in 3A four times. He also previously served as an assistant coach at Las Cruces High School in New Mexico and as a graduate assistant at NCAA Division I University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“Javier has both a high-level wrestling background and Florida connections which make him the ideal choice to become our first head coach,” said Watson. “More importantly, I believe he is a coach who has the ability to build a championship program the right way and get us competitive on the national scene quickly.”

Maldonado earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection, a three-time NCWA Academic All-American, and a three-time All-Southern Conference Academic Team member. As a wrestler at Osceola, he was a two-time State Champion and a three-time All-American.

“I’m excited to be part of the first college wrestling program in the state of Florida,” said Maldonado. “It’s important for the wrestlers in Florida to have a chance to compete close to home,” he added. “My hope is that Southeastern becomes the blueprint as more programs start across the state.”

Maldonado’s experience at the Division I level earned him the respect of his competitors. Sam Hazewinkle, who represented the United States in the 2012 Olympics in London, said, “Javier is a Florida native who has not only wrestled at every level but has continually exceeded the expectations others had for him. He has a tremendous work ethic and lives his life true to his Christian values.”

“I’m appreciative of my wife (Amanda) and my family for all of their support,” said Maldonado. “I’m blessed with a father who was a head coach and who taught me to do things the right way, and I’m looking forward to creating my own program,” he added.

“I’d like to especially thank former University of Oklahoma head wrestling coach, Jack Spates, for his assistance in this process,” said Watson. “His experience and knowledge of the sport at the collegiate level nationally was vital during this search process.”